Gabapentin included in list of drugs tied to increased suicide risk

"Certain anticonvulsant drugs may be linked to an increased risk of suicidal acts or violent death, according to an analysis of prescriptions and insurance claims data by Boston researchers...."

http://www.boston.com/news/health/blog/2010/04/anticonvulsant.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed7

I don't use gabapentin but I know many others here do so I wanted to leave this FYI.  I'm NOT suggesting anyone make independent changes with their medications.  These drugs can help control nerve pain, making daily life bearable.  Apparently, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF USE, they can also raise the risk of suicide.  

We just need to be aware.  One of our members had a depressive type response to a drug recently (I just can't remember what it was) and hadn't connected it to the new Rx.  Luckily an excellent doc was on the ball, recognized what was happening and stopped the drug.

Ya'll be careful out there.
Mary

[Erin0313]

Mary,

  As one of the many of us taking Neurontin (gabapentin) thanks for the heads up.

  I take so many meds ( I bet most of us do) that whenever there is a problem it is really hard to decide if it is a drug issue or a disease issue.

Hugs,
Erin :)

[Mike_Shuswap]

I also noticed on various internet sites that if you are taking gabapentin you should be wearing some type of medical alert device. It's important for emergency personel to know if you're on this drug.

I've got ms and I take gabapentin, so I ordered dog tags from medicalert and listed all my drugs. Only MS and my ID # will be engaved on the tag, medical personal must phone in to get my medical info. This non-profit outfit seems the best fit for me because I can update my info anytime at no cost.

Thanks for the post Mary, we do need to be aware of how we might react to these drugs.

Mike

[rendean]

I receive e-mails regarding news in the medical journals. I saw a piece written on the use of gabapentin and it's possible side effects. Please note that this is a PRELIMINARY STUDY.

As Mary suggested DO NOT STOP TAKING ANY OF YOUR MEDICATIONS BASED ON THIS. Talk to your DOCTOR BEFORE stopping any of your medications. Even if you decide to stop one of these meds, you MUST taper off or you may be faced with a new set of problems.

This is the email I received. PLEASE NOTE: "The authors call their analysis "exploratory," noting several study limitations — for example, there could have been residual confounding from patients' comorbidities."


Preliminary Study Describes Link Between Individual Anticonvulsants and Suicidal Behavior

The anticonvulsants gabapentin, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, and tiagabine carry greater risks for suicidal behavior compared with another anticonvulsant, topiramate, according to a preliminary report in JAMA. (In 2008, the FDA warned that all anticonvulsants confer heightened suicidality risk.)

Using medical and pharmacy claims data, U.S. researchers identified some 300,000 new episodes of treatment with anticonvulsants over a 5.5-year period. They noted roughly 800 attempted suicides, 25 completed suicides, and 40 violent deaths within 180 days after initiation of treatment.

In analyses adjusted for psychiatric and neurologic comorbidities, the risks for suicide attempt, completed suicide, and violent death were significantly higher with gabapentin, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, and tiagabine than with topiramate. The elevated risk was noted within 30 days of starting treatment.

The authors call their analysis "exploratory," noting several study limitations — for example, there could have been residual confounding from patients' comorbidities.

JAMA article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription)

Physician's First Watch coverage of FDA warning on anticonvulsants and suicidality (Free)

Ren

[schnauzerlady257]

I did see this article and made my husband read it as well.  I just started on gabapentin four months ago, and I told him that between him and my therapist I expect them to keep a close eye on my behaviors please.

I do wear a medical id bracelet with my allergy and meds info on it since it was suggested by my doctor.

I will admit that this info does scare me a bit since I have a history of depression, but stopping the med is not an option, because I can't work with the pain and I have to work to support my family.

I'll just be extra cautious....

[Valerie64]

interesting, was it a particularly high dose of Gabapentin does anyone know which might trigger possible depression?

I've been on it 8wks now and I feel fine at the moment, I was on Carbamazapine for a grand total of 3wks at the very lowest dose last September and had to come off that for side effects including wanting to cry all the time yet I know someone else who was fine on it.

I'm wondering if you're prone to side effects (unfortunately I am since I don't seem able to tolerate meds very well) are you more likely to develop potential depression?

Val

[essdipity]

I read this story on either msnbc or cnn website, and I think it includes proper precautions and a balanced presentation. It's true that some meds developed for epilepsy can have psychiatric side effects. We should all be aware of this and do some self-monitoring.

Still, if you've been on Neurontin, Lyrica or their generic forms for months and haven't felt any different mentally or emotionally, you are not likely to change, so that's one less thing to worry about. Same with anti-depressants. Some people have these effects--the big majority don't.

It's always wise to carry info about medical problems, especially if you're on some med that cannot be stopped abruptly, or if you know that doctors could be confused about your signs and symptoms in an emergency.

It's important to be vigilant, but with that in place, we also need to relax. Putting things in perspective can help that.  Life is good!

ess

[twopack]

I posted this mainly for people who have recently started taking one of these drugs and those who may start one in the future.  No increased risk is suggested beyond the first six months of use.  I assume there are some warning signs if you know to look for them.

No need to panic or even be afraid.  Only be afraid of what you DON'T know.  Our symptoms are always evolving here and our knowledge needs to also.  I don't think we need to wait for full confirmation to tuck a caution in our back pocket.

None of us know when a particular drug side effects will impact us.  That's why it's so important to start only one new drug therapy at a time.  People with all kinds of medical needs require treatment with a wide variety of drugs.  Some allow us to live.  Some give us quality of life.  But it's all chemotherapy and we need to be sure we are keeping tract and staying balanced.

Mary